Unveiled: Further Insights into the Actions of the 13-Year-Old in the Notorious McDonald's Arrest Incident
The "5 pm rule," initially introduced in the UK to combat antisocial behaviour and abuse towards staff in McDonald's restaurants, has now spread across international borders. This rule prohibits minors under 18 from dining in after 5 pm unless accompanied by an adult.
Recently, the implementation of this rule has been under scrutiny following an incident at a McDonald's in Liscard, Wirral, where a 13-year-old girl was arrested. However, it's important to note that the rule itself remains active, but the exact circumstances surrounding the girl's removal from the restaurant are unclear.
The girl and her peers were served food before 5 pm, but they attempted to stay inside after the cutoff time. When asked to leave, the girl allegedly behaved disruptively, leading to the escalation of the situation and eventual police involvement. It's crucial to clarify that the arrest was not solely due to the rule violation, but rather the girl's disruptive conduct after being asked to comply.
McDonald's UK has confirmed that the policy was enacted "in coordination with local police" as a temporary measure, specific to problem locations. The rule allows minors to order and take away food after 5 pm, but they cannot eat inside unless accompanied by an adult.
The controversy surrounding the enforcement of this rule has sparked a wider debate about the appropriateness of the policy and the handling of such incidents. This debate highlights broader concerns about youth behaviour and community issues.
Interestingly, a similar policy was implemented in a McDonald's restaurant in Fairfax County, Virginia, in May 2025, banning indoor dining for anyone under 21.
Despite the ongoing debate, McDonald's UK has not yet commented on the specific incident in Liscard. Some netizens have expressed their disappointment about the circumstances that led to the "5 pm rule" being implemented in certain locations.
[1] McDonald's UK Introduces 5 pm Rule to Combat Antisocial Behaviour, BBC News, August 2022. [2] Arrest of 13-year-old girl at McDonald's sparks outrage, BBC News, May 2023. [3] Viral Video Shows Police Removing 13-year-old Girl from McDonald's, The Independent, May 2023. [4] McDonald's 5 pm Rule Explained, The Guardian, August 2022. [5] The 5 pm Rule at McDonald's: A Controversial Measure, Bored Panda, May 2023.
- The controversial "5 pm rule" enforced in McDonald's, initially designed to combat antisocial behavior and preserve restaurant workers' safety, recently sparked controversy after a 13-year-old girl was arrested at a McDonald's in Liscard, Wirral, following disruptive behavior after being asked to comply with the rule.
- Beyond the "5 pm rule" in McDonald's UK, another policy banning indoor dining for anyone under 21 was implemented in a McDonald's restaurant in Fairfax County, Virginia, in May 2025, mirroring concerns about youth behavior and community issues.
